Theme
The theme of Heaven is for Real is faith. Numerous examples are given throughout the book of this theme including: Todd and Sonja having faith in the doctor and God that Colton will be saved, Todd and Sonja having faith that Colton's stories about heaven are true, and all of the people that heard Colton's story having their faith restored.
Conflict and Resolution
One of the conflicts in the book is when Colton is on the brink of death and Todd and Sonja can't do anything about it. This conflict is an external conflict because Colton is about to die but is saved.Todd yells at God because he feels so helpless, creating more conflict. Todd and Sonja have to have faith in the surgeon and in God that their four year old son won't die. The resolution to this is Jesus using Dr. O'Holleran to save Colton and bringing Colton to heaven with him.
The other conflict is the validity of Colton's stories. At first, his stories could have stemmed from a good dream or a Bible story he heard. Todd and Sonja frankly aren't sure what to think of this information about heaven at the beginning. This conflict is resolved when Colton mentions seeing his unborn baby sister in heaven. Todd and Sonja's assumptions that their son went to heaven are confirmed. They no longer excusing Colton's stories to be made up because they know that he must have gone to heaven otherwise he has no logical reason for knowing about his miscarried sister.
The other conflict is the validity of Colton's stories. At first, his stories could have stemmed from a good dream or a Bible story he heard. Todd and Sonja frankly aren't sure what to think of this information about heaven at the beginning. This conflict is resolved when Colton mentions seeing his unborn baby sister in heaven. Todd and Sonja's assumptions that their son went to heaven are confirmed. They no longer excusing Colton's stories to be made up because they know that he must have gone to heaven otherwise he has no logical reason for knowing about his miscarried sister.